Smith & Gesteland, LLP: Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award Nominations Being Sought

For additional information contact:

Neil Fauerbach – 608-836-7500 or neil.fauerbach@sgcpa.com

Smith & Gesteland, LLP

For immediate release: February 11, 2005

Madison, Wisconsin: Family businesses in Wisconsin have until February 25, 2005 to submit nominations for the Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award. The awards were developed to publicize the contributions that family businesses make to their industries and communities. Nomination forms can be obtained by calling 608-836-7500, or can be downloaded at www.sgcpa.com. Assistance in filling out the nominations is also available at this site.

Last year the program recognized ten companies for their outstanding achievement. A list of last year’s winners is available at the above website. The award is co-sponsored by Smith & Gesteland, a CPA and consulting firm, Dewitt, Ross & Stevens law firm, and Associated Bank. The award winners will be announced at a banquet on May 5 in Madison.

In the United States, there are more than 10 million family businesses, from “mom and pop” stores to Fortune 500 companies. Their economic influence is enormous, producing an estimated 50 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product and paying 65 percent of all wages.